Saturday, October 10, 2009

Internship opportunities at the Lebanon Historical Society Museum and Visitor CenterThe Lebanon Historical Society is a small town not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of all aspects of the history of Lebanon, CT from its earliest inhabitants to the present day, with special emphasis on Lebanon92s role in the American Revolution. The Society owns and operates a modern museum and visitor center with exhibit galleries, collections storage facilities, a genealogical library and archives and education and program space. In addition, the Society maintains and provides access to three historic structures: the William Beaumont birthplace a Broom Shop and a smoke house. In 2010, the library building that Civil War governor, William Buckingham, donated to the Congregation Church will be moved to the historical society property.

Located on the historic Lebanon Green, the Society is part of the Lebanon History Consortium. This affiliation of humanities sites around the Green (Governor Jonathan Trumbull House & Wadsworth Stable [DAR], the War Office [SAR], Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. House [Town of Lebanon], First Congregational Church, Jonathan Trumbull Public Library, and LHS) work together to develop public programming. The Consortium also works with the town to promote Lebanon’s Revolutionary War past.

The Historical Society has a paid staff of four including a professional museum director, collections manager, administrative assistant and museum assistant. Regular staff also includes a volunteer librarian and volunteer genealogist. A volunteer Board of Trustees and core group of other volunteers carry out many important tasks. However, as with most small non-profits there are far more tasks to be accomplished than people to complete them. Therefore, LHS has a well-established tradition of welcoming interns who have, over the years been valued contributors to our research, exhibits and programs.

As the 2009-10 academic year begins, the Lebanon Historical Society hopes to attract a new group of collegiate interns. Students majoring in history,education, general humanities, geography, anthropology or museum studies might find that we offer engaging and challenging opportunities. However, we have also provided successful internships for students in less obvious disciplines including graphic arts and computer science. Interns are generally incorporated into on-going projects that have been identified as institutional priorities. However, if someone has a specific project of personal interest to suggest, LHS staff are happy to discuss how we can work together.

Visit our website site at www.historyofLebanon.org. Interested students can reach us at 860-642-6579 from 9:00 to 5:00 weekdays or email us at museum@historyofLebanon.org